Bluebirds are dependent on the open grasslands and oak savannas
found in the South Puget Sound. Western Bluebirds have
suffered from competition for nest sites because of the
introduced European Starlings and House Sparrows. Western
Bluebirds feed primarily from perches, dropping to the
ground to feed on grasshoppers, caterpillars, beetles,
bugs, and spiders. Insects make up about 80 percent of
their diet; the rest is fruit, which is consumed from late
summer to early spring. As their habitat has dwindled,
so too have their numbers. Though not listed as an endangered
species, the western bluebird is an uncommon bird in Puget
Sound, due to habitat loss and nesting competition by non-native
birds.
Update March 2013 The BluebirdCam is now back online for 2013 awaiting the return of bluebirds looking for a breeding and nesting opportunity. Previous years have seen this nest box produce several broods of Western bluebirds. Stay tune as the South Sound Puget prairies are preparing to burst into spring with wildflowers, and nesting birds should be directly behind or among the blooming flowers. To learn more about our unique and valuable prairie-woodland ecosystems check out the following links:
